District Conventions
This page has information and news about past and future District 72 Conventions.
Next Convention
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Past Conventions
Dunedin, May 2012
THE MAKING OF SOLID GOLD LEADERS
Press Release by District Public Relations Officer, issued 11 May 2012
Celebrating 50 Solid Gold years of Toastmasters in New Zealand was the theme for the May Toastmasters International District 72 (NZ) convention in Dunedin last week-end (5 and 6th). That ultimately means 50 years of cultivating, nurturing and encouraging the development of great communicators and leaders in New Zealand.
Dunedin Toastmaster Club was the first Toastmasters club established in New Zealand. It was the obvious place to celebrate this auspicious journey so far. Of course, some of the original team are no longer around but their foresight and inspiration lives on. This club is still a vibrant part of the Toastmaster International organisation which has over 13000 clubs, nearly 300,000 members in 116 countries. A recent re-branding and new programs makes the world-wide organisation even more relevant to the 21st century.
The role call and legacy of the first club was enthusiastically acknowledged by 300 guests, most of whom were Toastmasters from around the country or overseas visitors. The presenters and key note speakers theme included the solid structure of Toastmasters' core programs: being able to communicate, speak confidently and leadership skills. In his opening address mayor of Dunedin, Dave Cull congratulated Toastmasters and the Solid Gold Dunedin Club and stated that, 'Being a good communicator in any situation, finding your voice and understanding your audience is vital to any community.'
Giving confident speeches, telling inspirational stories and honing your skills are the typical programs associated with Toastmasters. It is often wrongly assumed that you have to be pretty good to start with. People join for many reasons but the key to this successful program is the club support, consistent practice and encouraging feed-back linked to the self-paced program that inspires people at all levels.
At this convention there were two NZ grade competitions. Toastmaster styled evaluation or feed-back system, Commend, Recommend, Commend (or CRC), is the cornerstone to every member's development. Therefore, the Speech Evaluation Contest is a good test of those skills. This year's winner was Arun Chaudhari from Taranaki. The second contest, the big one, was the International Speech Contest, and was won by Craig McGregor with his speech, 'Mission Impossible' and the curly problems of parenting teenage boys. Craig, a local Dunedin Toastmaster, will go on to compete at the Toastmaster International level in Orlando, USA for the title of World Champion of Public Speakers. This is a huge task. Whereas Craig has successfully competed against approximately 700 local members, the international level means that he now competes against over 20,000 Toastmasters who vie for this honour. In the last two years both NZ representatives have reached the finals (putting them into the top eight public speakers in the world!). However, two New Zealanders have actually won this prestigious competition.
David Nottage reached this pinnacle of becoming the World Champion of Public Speakers in 1996 with his inspirational and humorous speech, 'Dare to Dream'. Always entertaining and quirky, David was a key note speaker at the convention. He explained that the quivering, nervous 21 year-old David Nottage desperately trying to present his first Toastmaster speech never dreamed that he could ultimately be number one in the world. His message was simple: don't give up, keep trying, learn from your mistakes and go forward. He told us that what made the difference included the special Toastmaster evaluations, club support and taking on every opportunity. Now David teaches these skills to corporate clients and empowers them to 'Dare to Dream'.
(left) Brett Rutledge - Keynote Speaker
Two years later Brett Rutledge also won the World Champion of Public Speaking 1998, NZ's second success on this prestigious stage. When it comes to communication there is simply no one more qualified. His communication skills and abilities are so honed and nuanced that Brett can change his voice and his approach in over 150 different ways. Disconcertingly he can mimic or impersonate accents, age and even personalities with the sort of speed most of us consider exceptional for normal, everyday conversation.
There is a lot of cynicism, anxiety and lack of respect for our leaders these days. As a Business Consultant in Australia Brett's Key Note address examined the importance of leadership and what makes a good leader (the Toastmasters' parallel track). Brett outlined what an 'ideal leader' is expected to be and where they would come from. He advises that, in reality, leaders are those people who can step up when required and must be good communicators. Leaders are not needed all the time, that everyday role is usually a manager. However, leaders know when that time comes they will be able to do the right thing. Paradoxically, leaders would never quite know when or where but must always be ready for something to happen. He referred to the Toastmaster programs that step-by-step develop these skills. Brett summed it up, 'Toastmasters are leaders, because they are always ready to step up and be the one to do it'.
The 'Toastmaster Communication and Leadership Award' are traditionally awarded to New Zealand's special leaders, who demonstrate these skills, such as Sir Peter Blake. This year the award went to the Mayor of Greymouth, Tony Kokshoorn, for his outstanding work in his community. In his acceptance speech, Tony repeated Brett's view on what it means to be a leader. He told is that that although he didn't ask for it, he was prepared to step up, and speak out for his people, when it was needed. He stated that, 'Good leaders are real, they make mistakes, respond in a human way, but must always be ready because you never know when the call will come. You also need a voice and need to be heard. Yes, Toastmasters have helped many people in this way'.
(left) Mike Storkey.
Toastmaster International Regional Director, Mike Storkey, reminded Toastmasters that few new members actually aspire to go to the top and amazed and thrilled that they get to achieve so much. He told us, 'As the combined Communication and Leadership programs are self-paced and multi-layered it suits every member. From Club, Area, Division, District, Region and, ultimately, the International level every Toastmaster has an opportunity to participate and achieve. Len Jury, Past International President, (the top job) is typical. Having reached the pinnacle of leadership, he still believes that it is the individual club members who matter the most and is happy to be 'A good club member now'.
In his closing speech the current District Governor, Steve Bullock, summed up the event by using this year's motto, taken for a Whakatauki (proverb) from KaumatuaTikirau Stevens, 'Drawing on the past, transforming the present, building a stronger future (Kumea mai a muri, Hurihia ki mua, Whakamaua kia tina!). History is in the making with our young and inspiring future solid gold leaders. Because Toastmasters are where leaders are made'.
Tauranga, November 2011
District 72 Semi Annual "Ride the Wave" Convention held in Tauranga Baycourt Community and Arts Centre. 4-6 November 2011
Cruise to Tauranga we've got it all – Did we have it all? We sure did!
Everyone was invited to Ride the Wave and we certainly did, ensuring we were all part of the wave which was most rewarding.
Embarking on Friday, cruising on Saturday and Sunday morning, disembarking Sunday afternoon. We did it all. Encouraged by the dashing, debonair, Director of Entertainment/MC James Ross, adeptly assisted by the unpredictable (in a nice way) Maggie Jack.
Figure 1 The culprit surrounded by body guards?
Friday evening's cruise included Mystery, Murder and Mayhem, when the ship's doctor was found dead in his office. Just who was the murderer? Could it have been his fiancé or was it one of the cruise crew, maybe? Much fun was had by guests endeavouring to find the clues as they mixed and mingled with the suspects. The Judge and Jury were selected and the court proceedings began. The Jury reached a verdict and announced the guilty culprit who was in fact the rather voluptuous undercover detective. All great fun and an excellent start for our weekend cruise on board the distinguished Cruise Ship "Toastmasters".
Figure 2 – Exhibition Deck
Saturday dawned with a brilliant sunrise, providing a beautiful ambience to "set sail". Cruise mates were encouraged to embark quickly, with the Ships Horn, booming at 30 second interval. Once on Board, descending the stairs into the auditorium gave the impression of being on a cruise ship and arriving at the Entertainment Deck where the stage was set with two large and impressive cut out cruise ships on either side.
Figure 3 Banner Parade
The program began with a poignant kaikaranga, followed by the official opening ceremony and a lively and animated banner parade to the music of Simply the Best by Tina and Jimmy and finally to the "Gem" of this cruise, our keynote speaker Kerri Tilby-Price, with her very positive message. Sharing with us her personal view point on goal setting with a "can do" attitude. Kerri was very inspiring, motivational, and told her personal story of success with sincerity and enthusiasm leaving us all with a message to sail home with.
Figure 4 Kerri with Maggie Jack
Cruise mates then dispersed to action on other decks. In the Sports Deck Peter Scholtens and Steve Preston presented a double act, sharing their knowledge on all you every need to know and more about Speechcraft Courses.
Download Denis McCord's Rebranding Presentation (9.9MB pdf format) which was also presented during the convention.
Meanwhile in the Aft Deck, Hirata Harris spoke about IT and the very effective program "easySpeak – automation for Toastmasters". The most innovative tool for clubs to help remove the chaos from record keeping by providing a program that will maintain an accurate system to implement member management: rosters, mentoring and manual speech lists and records, automated agendas, goals lists, Award and Educational achievements/status, meeting roles, participation charts and more.
Download Use it or Lose It Presentation (38 page powerpoint, 2.9MB pdf). This is also in EasySpeak under Help.
Figure 5 Hirata Harris
In the Exhibition Deck was the very popular workshop presented by Ros Lee, who challenged cruise mates to think about "Do you Dare to be Different" with her interactive presentation supported by a very effective power point.
Back in the Entertainment Deck was the workshop "Building Toastmasters Awareness" presented by two very professional Ladies, with a mountain of knowledge and ideas. Ellie Young and Annette Fenton provided cruise mates with a multitude of excellent and very helpful information for membership building, and club promotion.
With everyone back in the Entertainment Deck, the real enjoyment began with the Table Topics Contest chaired by the very professional and efficient Lyndon Baird, challenging the 6 contestants with the thought provoking topic "Should arranged marriages be encouraged"?
Download Membership Building Strategy (453KB pdf)
Figure 6 Ros Lee
Congratulations and admiration to the winner Wayne Walker, Runnerup John Twaddle and Tevivi Daniel Jnr Third, for grasping a rather diverse topic and weaving dynamic speeches much to the delight of the cruise mates.
Figure 6 Table Topics Contestants
The afternoon frivolities were temporarily halted by the formal part of this weekend cruise - the District 72 Council Meeting. Rumoured to be long and involved.
Figure 7 District 72 Team
Under the expert chairmanship of DG Steve Bullock, the meeting sailed along at a good pace and concluded 20 minutes early much to the delight of the cruise mates who then enjoyed an extending afternoon tea break.
Back again to the Entertainment deck for IPDG Denis McCord's award presentations.
Figure 8 IPDG Denis McCord and Peter Scholtens
Congratulations to Peter Scholtens for his award as District Toastmaster of the Year.
Peter also won the Jack Duffy Rose Bowl Memorial Award for Community Service.
Figure 9 Diane Isherwood
Diane Isherwood was the Outstanding Division Governor of the Year and the Area Governor of the Year is Aaron George ACB, ALB (F8 Area Governor).
Figure 10 Immediate Past District Governor Denis McCord DTM with Faye Leonard
Figure 11 Wellington Professional Toastmasters
The 6 Club Achievement awards all went to the "Wellington Professional Toastmasters Club" – congratulations to their members for an absolutely magnificent performance – the first time one club has achieved all the awards in the same year. This concluded Day 1 but no resting up for those cruise mates attending the Cruise dine and dance.
Whilst many drove themselves, approximately 100 cruise mates took the opportunity to travel in the Cruise Tour Buses to the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club venue at the Tauranga Marina. Dressed appropriately to the theme "Dress as a Song" we were greeted on arrival by the Director of Entertainment James and a glass of complimentary bubbles. Some outrageous costumes were revealed – Hard Days Night, Devil Woman, Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree, Gypsys Tramps and Thieves, Baa Baa Black Sheep (3 of them), Purple Rain, Singing in the Rain, Money Money Money, Guitar Man, Wooden Heart. Major Tom to Ground Control won the most innovative costume and the winner overall was the very provocative Lady Marmalade from Moulin Rouge.
Figure 12 We're all going on a summer holiday
The best club group went to We're all Going on a Summer Holiday. The venue, the food, the theme, the guests, the brilliant band that had everyone not only dancing but singing along and the playing of the music to match the songs, and the enthusiastic participation by cruise mates made this a fun night and probably the best evening ever for a Convention.
Sunday morning – Cruise Mates were again jolted into action by the booming ships horn and then well and truly woken up as the morning session opened with loud beat music for the very young and talented Hip Hop Local Dance Group.
Figure 13 Dan Allen-Gordon
Keynote speaker was Dan Allen-Gordon who shared his rather troubled childhood/teenage years which set him up for a major life change. Becoming involved with the Foundation for Youth Development courses (such as Kiwican, Stars and Project K and MYND (Mentoring Youth New Direction) transforming wayward primary and college students into aspiring young people, providing them with opportunities to develop their skills and realise their own potential. His strong message and down to earth approach made an impression on all cruise mates. Yet another bad boy doing good, walking the talk with passion and enthusiasm.
Finally the moment we had all been eagerly awaiting. The contest for the coveted Toastmasters New Zealand Humorous Speech Champion Cup. Contestants presentations covered a vast range of Topics. The winning speech "Memory, What Memory?" went to Rob Julian. Congratulations Rob, finally success. Runnerup was Kay Hammond and third was Allan Bentley.
Figure 14 Winners of Humorous Speech Contest
Workshops and more District 72 Award Presentations by LGET Murray Coutts and LGM Ellie Young and then finally we were indulged with an introduction to the Solid Gold – Celebrating 50 years of Toastmasters in New Zealand promotion for May 2012 convention, presented by Dunedin Convention Chairman Stuart Anderson.
Closing ceremony included bon voyage speeches from IPDG Denis McCord and DG Steve Bullock and the poignant and melodious voice of a very talented local young girl, 11 year old Shavaugn Kinsella accompanied by her dad Todd on acoustic guitar and harmonising the song "Now is the Hour". More of Shavaugn singing her original songs can be found on the website: http://kinsellastudio.co.nz
Figure 15 Shavaugn & Todd
Cruise mates disembarked to the sound of Freddie and Queen "We are the Champions".
Toastmasters certainly are Champions. We were all Champions each and every one of us. Thus the end of another convention that proved to be outstandingly different, full of fun, sharing and caring; making new friends whilst catching up with others, being motivated, inspired and encouraged to learn new tricks to add to our Toastmaster library of knowledge, all on board the "Cruise Ship Toastmasters" on a cruising weekend in sunny Tauranga by the sea.
Sincerely
The Cruise Team
Lani Christensen DTM – November 2011 Convention Chair
Figure 16 Tauranga Cruise Team
